Doctors Take Part Of Boy's Brain To Stop 100 Seizures A Day

YAHOO.COM - Tom Parrent was home alone with his son 3-year-old Sam -- better known
as "Spike" -- when after lunch the boy told his father he was "really,
really tired" and need to take a nap.

The North Carolina preschooler couldn't even make it upstairs to bed, so he collapsed on the couch and drifted off to sleep.

"A few minutes later, I heard this animal scream and he was in grand mal
seizure," said Parrent, 51, a senior managing director at AIG. "Up to
that point he had been a perfectly healthy boy. It was absolutely
terrifying."

The event in January 2011 lasted about five minutes, but in the grueling
year ahead, Spike's seizures escalated to 70 to 100 a day. Doctors were
ready to put him in a coma, and his parents feared that he would die.

By November, Spike was referred to the Cleveland Clinic
where surgeons removed half of the frontal lobe of his brain, a radical
step, but one that saved his life. Today, the boy is in kindergarten
and is not only seizure free, but is as healthy as any other boy his
age.

"He's doing exceptionally well," his father said. "Although specialists
can see some differences in timing of development from his peers, in
every other way he is just a normal, happy, healthy kid."

In a study published this week in the Annals of Neurology,
researchers have found that for the youngest epilespy patients for whom
medication doesn't work, frontal lobe surgery can stop seizures -- in
many cases forever.

Doctors say the brain essentially rewires itself to compensate for the
removed lobe or lobes. Where the seizure originates is essentially
damaged and so removing it actually helps the health of the brain.

"We have a chance with this surgery to really give people their life
back," said Dr. Lara Jehi, lead study author and director of the
Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center, where about 100 pediatric surgeries
are performed each year.

Researchers reviewed 158 patients who underwent frontal lobe epilepsy
surgery from 1995 to 2010. They found that patients who had a shorter
duration of epilepsy were almost twice as likely to be seizure free
after surgery.

It affects an estimated 3 million Americans, or about 1 percent of the population, according to the Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy. About 1 in 4 patients do not respond to medication, and for them, a frontal lobectomy can provide a "cure."

Those with the worst form of epilepsy -- with convulsions and big
seizures with stiffening and shaking -- usually have malfunctions in the
frontal lobe, according to Jehi.

Those who are resistant to medication are apt to suffer injuries and
accidents. They are also three to 12 times more prone to sudden death.

"They go to sleep and never wake up," she said.

Most epilepsy patients wait decades before being offered surgery and doctors say more might seek this option.

The frontal lobe part of the brain, which controls executive functions
and language, was once considered "difficult to tackle," Jehi said.

"We found that the mere fact of time -- waiting too long before you do
surgery -- is the most harmful thing you can do to a patient's brain,"
Jehi said.

Patients who have surgery within five years of epilepsy onset have an 80
percent to 90 percent chance of being seizure-free for life, she said.

"If you wait more than five years, it drops to 10 percent," she said.

Surgery may sound daunting, but Jehi said the mortality rate is less
than .02 percent. And the earlier it is done, the better the outcome.

Such was the case with Spike, but the family's journey to get answers was difficult.

After Spike's first seizure, doctors told Parrent and his wife Jo Jo, 41, that it was likely caused by a fever and was "normal."

"They said it's scary, but that's the end of it," said Parrent. "He resumed all his activities and was fine."

But soon, the boy had more seizures, "less severe, but still horribly
frightening," his father said. "Then one day, he had six of them."

Spike was put on seizure medication, drugs that made him hyperactive and
still didn't curb the epileptic episodes. On a visit to a neurologist,
the boy had a seizure right in the office.

The seizures increased to 10 a day, then 20 a day. "Sometimes, he'd get a cluster of them, four or five at once," Parrent said.

In late January, the family took Spike to Duke University to see one of the world's leading pediatric neurologists, Dr. Mohamad Mikati.

"Spike was completely bedridden, but aware," Parrent said. "In the
middle of seizure they would say a phrase completely out of context --
'pink giraffe' -- and when they would ask him, 'What did I say?' when he
was fully conscious, he would get it right. He could hear everything."

A series of drugs didn't work. Now the seizures were coming 50 times a
day. At one point a team of specialists convened just to discuss Spike's
unusual condition.

"Often at a conference, a patient will have three doctors involved --
Spike had 24," his father said. "We had absolutely everybody and kudos
to Duke for flooding the resources in."

Soon the seizures were up to 70 a day and brain imaging couldn't find what was causing them, Duke doctors recommended surgery.

Surgeons drilled through the skull and took a biopsy to rule out cancer.

"The surgeon came out shaking his head -- he had never seen anything
like this," Parrent said. "It was a material they couldn't identify. ...
It indicated something might be going on, but nothing obvious."

Grasping at straws, Spike's family tried alternative medicine: a strict ketogenic diet that can change the body chemistry.

The ketogenic diet forces the child's body to burn fat around the clock
by making fat the main food and keeping carbohydrates or sugars low.
According to the Epilepsy Foundation, doctors don't know why a diet "that mimics starvation" by burning fat for energy works, but for some, it prevents seizures.

"We measured to the 10th of every gram for every meal, typically a cup
of heavy cream and several ounces of butter and small piece of meat and
one piece of broccoli," Parrent said. "It was horrible and he never had
any relief from it."

After three days on the diet in the hospital, Spike's seizures subsided for 24 hours.

"We were stunned," he said. And at home, Spike "stuck the diet like no one else. He didn't go off it once."

Spike, now 4, never lost his upbeat personality.

"He was a favorite on the ward," his father said. "He accepted everything without a complaint the entire sickness."

At one point a technician doing an EEG offered the boy a lollipop and Spike refused.

And he never lost his sense of humor.

"Dr. Mikati met with us and showed us the actual EEG tracings. After he
left, Spike asked to see what the EEG looked like," Parrent said. "He
looked at the tracings for awhile and then pointed to the more active
parts of the EEG. 'So,' Spike said, 'This part shows the spikes and
these are slowing and here are the seizures.'"

His father confirmed he was right and Spike added, "From now on, I want to be called Mr. Smooth. I don't want any more spikes."

Spike stayed on the ketogenic diet for six months, but by August the
seizures came back with a vengeance. A series of MRIs revealed a shadow,
suggesting a genetic malformation of the right side frontal lobe of his
brain.

Doctors at Duke referred Spike to the Cleveland Clinic. Doctors thought the brain was operable and surgery was scheduled.

Spike's last seizure was on Nov. 9, 2011, the day of his final surgery.

Today, at 6, Spike is thriving.

"His attention span is better," his father said. "His intelligence is
fully there and he reads and writes. As we took him off the drugs, he's
doing much better in school and is still incredibly bright and happy.
Nothing prevents him from doing anything he wants.

"He's a normal kid in all regards."

His family later learned a malformation from birth was causing the seizures and surgery had corrected that.

"It was waiting there like a bomb," his father said. "It would have killed him."

KHQ.COM - The National Council for Home Safety and Security has released the safest cities in Washington for 2018... and Spokane did not impress. To determine the order of the ranking the Council used data on the number of reported violent crimes and property crimes for every thousand people and also reviewed the most recent FBI Uniform Crime report. Spokane ranked almost dead last coming in at number 79 (there were only 80 cities on the list).

KHQ.COM - The National Council for Home Safety and Security has released the safest cities in Washington for 2018... and Spokane did not impress. To determine the order of the ranking the Council used data on the number of reported violent crimes and property crimes for every thousand people and also reviewed the most recent FBI Uniform Crime report. Spokane ranked almost dead last coming in at number 79 (there were only 80 cities on the list).

KENT, Wash. - Kent police said they arrested a man Wednesday morning who was seen on surveillance video early Tuesday breaking into a bikini barista stand and abducting the barista at knifepoint before trying to rape her outside. The arrest was made after investigators received multiple tips identifying the suspect.

KENT, Wash. - Kent police said they arrested a man Wednesday morning who was seen on surveillance video early Tuesday breaking into a bikini barista stand and abducting the barista at knifepoint before trying to rape her outside. The arrest was made after investigators received multiple tips identifying the suspect.

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. - A two-month investigation into criminal activity at the Red Top Motel in Spokane Valley resulted in a massive raid and the arrest of 8 people early Tuesday morning. The Red Top Motel has had more than 100 calls for service since the beginning of the year, with many of those calls resulting in the arrest of known criminals who commonly traffic in drugs and stolen property.

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. - A two-month investigation into criminal activity at the Red Top Motel in Spokane Valley resulted in a massive raid and the arrest of 8 people early Tuesday morning. The Red Top Motel has had more than 100 calls for service since the beginning of the year, with many of those calls resulting in the arrest of known criminals who commonly traffic in drugs and stolen property.

SPOKANE, Wash. - The two accused of a string of purse snatchings over the weekend appeared in court Tuesday afternoon. Prosecutors said they’re planning on filing more charges against them after getting word that one of the victims might not walk again due to her injuries. Police say Katie Kinney and Trystan Clark were arrested for the purse snatchings. One of their victims included 75-year-old Kathy Kohlieber. She’s in the hospital for a broken pelvis....

SPOKANE, Wash. - The two accused of a string of purse snatchings over the weekend appeared in court Tuesday afternoon. Prosecutors said they’re planning on filing more charges against them after getting word that one of the victims might not walk again due to her injuries. Police say Katie Kinney and Trystan Clark were arrested for the purse snatchings. One of their victims included 75-year-old Kathy Kohlieber. She’s in the hospital for a broken pelvis....

SPOKANE, Wash. - Randall and Jill Kimberling didn’t think it would happen to their child. But on February 4 their four-year-old son, Levi, started to fill ill. “We were the parents who looked at him and said ‘that wouldn’t happen to our child. He’s super healthy and super energetic’,” said Randall. “To watch him lay there and not move is hard.” By February 5, Levi’s fever reached 99 degrees.

SPOKANE, Wash. - Randall and Jill Kimberling didn’t think it would happen to their child. But on February 4 their four-year-old son, Levi, started to fill ill. “We were the parents who looked at him and said ‘that wouldn’t happen to our child. He’s super healthy and super energetic’,” said Randall. “To watch him lay there and not move is hard.” By February 5, Levi’s fever reached 99 degrees.

KHQ.COM - When you party with Jay-Z, just make sure you don't get stuck with the bill. During a night out in Manhattan, he reportedly racked up a tab totaling $91,135 (tip included) at one bar! How much of that was a tip? $11,100! Which means his server Dayhana is probably the most grateful the rapper chose to celebrate at the Playroom Lounge in NYC.

KHQ.COM - When you party with Jay-Z, just make sure you don't get stuck with the bill. During a night out in Manhattan, he reportedly racked up a tab totaling $91,135 (tip included) at one bar! How much of that was a tip? $11,100! Which means his server Dayhana is probably the most grateful the rapper chose to celebrate at the Playroom Lounge in NYC.

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - The Colombian cop who commanded the operation that killed drug kingpin Pablo Escobar has been arrested for laundering money on behalf of a demobilized right-wing militia. Colombia*s chief prosecutor said retired Col. Hugo Aguilar was detained Wednesday. Authorities accuse Aguilar of amassing a fortune worth over $5.2 million from his ties to the now-defunct Central Bolivar militia. The investigation against Aguilar started last year when h...

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - The Colombian cop who commanded the operation that killed drug kingpin Pablo Escobar has been arrested for laundering money on behalf of a demobilized right-wing militia. Colombia*s chief prosecutor said retired Col. Hugo Aguilar was detained Wednesday. Authorities accuse Aguilar of amassing a fortune worth over $5.2 million from his ties to the now-defunct Central Bolivar militia. The investigation against Aguilar started last year when h...

CHICAGO - Police converged on Chicago’s Trump Tower Wednesday night after reports of a bomb threat. Police tell FOX 32 that the threat was discovered on an iPad returned by one of the hotel's guests. The Trump hotel gives guests complimentary iPad during their stay. Police are continuing to investigate.

CHICAGO - Police converged on Chicago’s Trump Tower Wednesday night after reports of a bomb threat. Police tell FOX 32 that the threat was discovered on an iPad returned by one of the hotel's guests. The Trump hotel gives guests complimentary iPad during their stay. Police are continuing to investigate.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - One bride says she almost missed her wedding reception after getting stuck in an elevator in Rhode Island. Melissa Rodger says she was heading to the 18th floor of the Providence Biltmore hotel Saturday when the elevator stopped within four feet of its destination. She says a bridesmaid alerted her husband shortly afterward that a “situation” was going on. The fire department was called to the scene and pried

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - One bride says she almost missed her wedding reception after getting stuck in an elevator in Rhode Island. Melissa Rodger says she was heading to the 18th floor of the Providence Biltmore hotel Saturday when the elevator stopped within four feet of its destination. She says a bridesmaid alerted her husband shortly afterward that a “situation” was going on. The fire department was called to the scene and pried

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The San Diego Police Department says a senior citizen is to blame for vandalizing dozens of cars in a Scripps Ranch neighborhood. NBC 7 reports that police arrested 75-year-old Emilia Bello late Sunday after one of her neighbors said she watched the elderly woman key her car. For months, cars parked along Legacy Road in Scripps Ranch have been getting keyed on the passenger side. NBC 7 reports

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The San Diego Police Department says a senior citizen is to blame for vandalizing dozens of cars in a Scripps Ranch neighborhood. NBC 7 reports that police arrested 75-year-old Emilia Bello late Sunday after one of her neighbors said she watched the elderly woman key her car. For months, cars parked along Legacy Road in Scripps Ranch have been getting keyed on the passenger side. NBC 7 reports

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Latest on the deadly Florida school shooting (all times local): 6:30 p.m The sheriff of the Florida county where a shooter killed 17 people at a high school last week has ordered all deputies who qualify to begin carrying rifles on school grounds. Broward Sheriff Scott Israel said at a news conference Wednesday that the rifles will be locked in a patrol car when not in use until the agency secures gun locks and lockers. T...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Latest on the deadly Florida school shooting (all times local): 6:30 p.m The sheriff of the Florida county where a shooter killed 17 people at a high school last week has ordered all deputies who qualify to begin carrying rifles on school grounds. Broward Sheriff Scott Israel said at a news conference Wednesday that the rifles will be locked in a patrol car when not in use until the agency secures gun locks and lockers. T...

SAN ANTONIO, Tex. - A 6-year-old child and three other people were injured in a shooting Sunday night outside a Texas Roadhouse restaurant. News 4 San Antonio reports that authorities were called to the Texas Roadhouse at Cinema Ridge at about 8:45 p.m. for reports of an active shooter. Police said four people, including a 6-year-old child were hit when a suspect opened fire outside the restaurant, unloading an entire clip. News 4

SAN ANTONIO, Tex. - A 6-year-old child and three other people were injured in a shooting Sunday night outside a Texas Roadhouse restaurant. News 4 San Antonio reports that authorities were called to the Texas Roadhouse at Cinema Ridge at about 8:45 p.m. for reports of an active shooter. Police said four people, including a 6-year-old child were hit when a suspect opened fire outside the restaurant, unloading an entire clip. News 4

SPOKANE, Wash. - Last month thieves hit a gas station in north Spokane and were caught on camera getting away with 12 brand new propane tanks worth more than $500. The business, Divine's on Nevada and Wellesley, reported the theft to police and posted about it online. "We do a lot with the community as far as working with SNAP and other agencies to fill propane for customers in need who use it to heat their home," said Divine's manager Sonya Bray.

SPOKANE, Wash. - Last month thieves hit a gas station in north Spokane and were caught on camera getting away with 12 brand new propane tanks worth more than $500. The business, Divine's on Nevada and Wellesley, reported the theft to police and posted about it online. "We do a lot with the community as far as working with SNAP and other agencies to fill propane for customers in need who use it to heat their home," said Divine's manager Sonya Bray.

In the aftermath of the latest mass school shooting, President Donald Trump has raised the idea of arming teachers. Trump says that had one of the victims, an assistant football coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, been armed, "he would have shot and that would have been the end of it."

In the aftermath of the latest mass school shooting, President Donald Trump has raised the idea of arming teachers. Trump says that had one of the victims, an assistant football coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, been armed, "he would have shot and that would have been the end of it."

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - A Montana boy has been arrested and charged for allegations that he made threats against schools in Philipsburg. Granite County Sheriff Scott Dunkerson said on Wednesday that the boy has been charged with felony intimidation and three counts of misdemeanor assault. He is being held at a youth facility. The Missoulian reports that no students were harmed in the incident, but the sheriff said with "recent events nationwide" all threats against ...

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - A Montana boy has been arrested and charged for allegations that he made threats against schools in Philipsburg. Granite County Sheriff Scott Dunkerson said on Wednesday that the boy has been charged with felony intimidation and three counts of misdemeanor assault. He is being held at a youth facility. The Missoulian reports that no students were harmed in the incident, but the sheriff said with "recent events nationwide" all threats against ...

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - Coeur d'Alene's deputy city administrator was booked into jail over the weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence and released on a $500 bond according to jail booking records. Sam Taylor of Post Falls was arrested just after midnight on Monday near the intersection of Highway 53 and Highway 41 in Rathdrum.

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - Coeur d'Alene's deputy city administrator was booked into jail over the weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence and released on a $500 bond according to jail booking records. Sam Taylor of Post Falls was arrested just after midnight on Monday near the intersection of Highway 53 and Highway 41 in Rathdrum.

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - The Colombian cop who commanded the operation that killed drug kingpin Pablo Escobar has been arrested for laundering money on behalf of a demobilized right-wing militia. Colombia*s chief prosecutor said retired Col. Hugo Aguilar was detained Wednesday. Authorities accuse Aguilar of amassing a fortune worth over $5.2 million from his ties to the now-defunct Central Bolivar militia. The investigation against Aguilar started last year when h...

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - The Colombian cop who commanded the operation that killed drug kingpin Pablo Escobar has been arrested for laundering money on behalf of a demobilized right-wing militia. Colombia*s chief prosecutor said retired Col. Hugo Aguilar was detained Wednesday. Authorities accuse Aguilar of amassing a fortune worth over $5.2 million from his ties to the now-defunct Central Bolivar militia. The investigation against Aguilar started last year when h...

CHICAGO - Police converged on Chicago’s Trump Tower Wednesday night after reports of a bomb threat. Police tell FOX 32 that the threat was discovered on an iPad returned by one of the hotel's guests. The Trump hotel gives guests complimentary iPad during their stay. Police are continuing to investigate.

CHICAGO - Police converged on Chicago’s Trump Tower Wednesday night after reports of a bomb threat. Police tell FOX 32 that the threat was discovered on an iPad returned by one of the hotel's guests. The Trump hotel gives guests complimentary iPad during their stay. Police are continuing to investigate.

Spokane, Wash. In an interview on Wednesday, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers told KHQ that she is happy President Trump took action in directing the Department of Justice to ban bump stocks and similar gun modifications. The congresswoman also said there needs to be an improvement on gun background checks at the national level. But when it comes to preventing another school shooting specifically, the congresswoman told KHQ that passing new gun laws don't provide

Spokane, Wash. In an interview on Wednesday, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers told KHQ that she is happy President Trump took action in directing the Department of Justice to ban bump stocks and similar gun modifications. The congresswoman also said there needs to be an improvement on gun background checks at the national level. But when it comes to preventing another school shooting specifically, the congresswoman told KHQ that passing new gun laws don't provide

Clearwater County Sheriff's Office says a chimney fire destroyed a house fire on Turkey Run Drive Friday. It appeared that the fire started in the chimney and spread to the attic area. Homeowner Kory Coonce was residing at the residence at the time of the fire and was uninjured. Jesse D. Coonce, Kory's father, was transported by Clearwater County Ambulance to Clearwater Valley Hospital for smoke inhalation. The house was a total loss. >>

Clearwater County Sheriff's Office says a chimney fire destroyed a house fire on Turkey Run Drive Friday. It appeared that the fire started in the chimney and spread to the attic area. Homeowner Kory Coonce was residing at the residence at the time of the fire and was uninjured. Jesse D. Coonce, Kory's father, was transported by Clearwater County Ambulance to Clearwater Valley Hospital for smoke inhalation. The house was a total loss. >>